Maui Time publisher arrested

November 20, 2012

The publisher of Maui Time Weekly was arrested this morning when police said he refused to comply with police instructions to leave and offended occupants of a vehicle while videotaping them during a traffic stop on Haleakala Highway.

Thomas Russo, 39, was released after posting $3,000 bail on charges of obstructing government operations, harassment and resisting arrest, police said.

"I was just doing my job," Russo said Tuesday afternoon. "I was arrested for reporting. All charges are ridiculous."

Police traffic officers were doing enforcement as part of "Operation Recon," targeting oversized vehicles on the highway and illegal window tint.

Officers had pulled over a vehicle when Russo stopped behind the vehicle and began videotaping the traffic stop at about 9:20 a.m. Police said the two occupants of the stopped vehicle were offended by the videotaping and officers told Russo multiple times to leave the area. He refused and was arrested, police said. While being handcuffed, Russo tried to pull away from officers, police said.

Some drivers heading downhill complained about a traffic backup, with officers posted near the intersection with Hana Highway to look for violations.

Police said the backup resulted from drivers slowing to observe the enforcement.